Corona Extra Honda CBR1000RR - Lime Cordial

Being the only Honda in a sea of Suzukis also presents difficulties in setup for the team. "Gearing is our major issue because we don't have any feedback from anyone," continues Ashmore. "We can't just get a number. Suspension, a click here, a click there; there's no major changes. From track to track there's no major changes at all. A rear spring, that's it."

Compared with the Suzukis, Holden cites the Honda's cornering prowess as a big advantage: "I feel so confident in the front end of this machine-the thing just sticks through the corner. And that's what I've noticed following Aaron [Yates] or Geoff May; where I can really get them is big corner speed and maybe the jump off the corner, the drive."

My turn to find out how the bike works for a mere mortal came at a track day run by Apex Track Days (www.apextrackdays.com, (801) 643-2665) on Miller's outer course. Ashmore and the crew warned me that the riding position-with the ultra-low seat and high bars-might be awkward, but while it didn't feel ideal for my size it wasn't uncomfortable. The highlight of the bike was indeed the chassis: Steering is very light and quick in transitions, and even in Miller's fast turns the bike flipped from side to side extremely easily. And as Holden attests, the cornering speeds the bike is capable of are incredible. Over the course of an hour's riding time I steadily increased my pace but never felt that I even approached the speeds the bike is capable of. Stability is excellent, and the Honda tracked straight and true under full power with no drama. In most of Miller's turns the brakes were quite strong and gave great feedback, but at the end of the long front straight, response was a bit numb. The crew says this is a characteristic of the Performance Friction pads used, and they are working on a solution. Otherwise, the Corona Extra bike behaves much like a stock CBR1000RR but with its good characteristics enhanced even further.

Given the incredible chassis, the engine is somewhat of a letdown-although Miller's altitude of more than 5000 feet certainly takes the edge off any bike. Still, the midrange power and torque spread are just as impressive as the stock machine, with steam available from almost idle and tapering off just past 13,000 rpm, although the rev limiter doesn't cut in until around 14,000 rpm. At high revs, throttle response is buttery smooth, and the chassis allows you to make good use of the silky response to get power to the ground early in the corner. And once on the gas the bike shows no tendency to wheelie or spin the huge rear Dunlop slick, simply building velocity with deceptive ease. With the easily usable torque and very adept chassis, I can see how Holden is able to give the Suzuki riders fits in turns.

"Marty is doing the motors really good; he's giving me the power right where I want it and making it really smooth coming off the corners," says Holden. "I don't think I've gotten out of shape coming off a corner yet this year, which is pretty amazing. This bike is so smooth that it makes it easy to ride around the track." And therein lies what is perhaps the key to the team's success so far this year: The crew works diligently to give Holden what he needs to win, and Holden in turn gives them the feedback to do just that.

"Getting the bike working is just listening to Jake," reveals Ashmore. "He's a really good rider to listen to; he doesn't get too stressed out about anything, [and] we work well together. We've got a really good bunch of guys, we all know our job, and we know how to get his bike right for him." Given the Corona Extra team's quick success this year with a new bike, is it possible there's still more to come as development continues? "I think so," answers Holden. "I think we're learning each race. I think we've got more room to work with. I think a championship is not out of the ball game for us."

"Yes, there is," echoes Ashmore. "We're still getting parts in because the bike was released so late. We've just been getting through without going too silly, because [we haven't had many] spare parts. But now we've got them we're looking forward to the rest of the year; we're going to put our heads down and go for it."